In a world where shadows often play, A single act can light the way. A gentle touch, a tender smile, Can make a moment truly worthwhile.
When hearts are heavy, spirits low, Kind words can cause a seed to grow. A helping hand, a listening ear, Can wipe away a silent tear.
In every life, a chance to give, A way to show how hearts can live. Through simple deeds and caring eyes, We find the strength to rise and rise.
Kindness, like a gentle rain, Falls softly, easing every pain. It blooms in places dark and drear, And whispers, “I am always near.”
A world that’s kind is one that’s bright, Where every soul can share the light. For kindness echoes, never ends, It binds us all as loving friends.
So spread it wide, and let it be, A beacon for humanity. In every heart, in every land, Let kindness take us by the hand.
Nargiza Farxod qizi Xusanova was born on November 30, 2003, in Khatirchi district, Navoi region. She graduated from the Khatirchi district general secondary school №78, Navoi region. Currently, she is a 3rd year student at Bukhara State Pedagogical Institute. She is a winner of the “Student of the Year” competition, taking 23rd place among all universities. In 2024, she authored a monograph on the topic of “Determining the Stable DC Bridge”. She is currently working as a coordinator of the “Mushoira Club” at the institute. Nargiza is also the coordinator of the Student Girls Committee of the Bukhara State Pedagogical Institute Youth Union, the coordinator of the “Girls’ Voice” Bukhara City Sport and Health direction, and the coordinator of the Young Politician Girls Club at the Institute. She is an active member of the Bukhara City Youth Wing of the “O’zliDep” organization.
The Importance of Uzbek Folk Tales and Literary Tales
Abstract: Uzbek folk oral literature is very rich and unparalleled. It can be said without a doubt that the oral literature of each nation clearly shows its history. Therefore, if we consider folk oral literature as a spring, it can be likened to a tree nourished by this spring. Through the works of oral folk literature, people learn from the wisdom and bravery of their ancestors, and become acquainted with their great ancestors and their way of life. In folklore, the wisdom, talent, and linguistic richness of the people are manifested. Tales serve as an important source in studying the history, spiritual and cultural lifestyle, inner world, faith, social relations with other brotherly nations, customs, climate, and natural conditions of each nation.
Keywords: Uzbek folk tale, literary tale, types of tales, impact on children
A tale is one of the ancient genres belonging to the epic type, widely spread among the people, reflecting the national values, lifestyle, traditions, and customs that have been formed over centuries. Mainly narrated in prose by professional storytellers, tales have evolved into a unified poetic system with a unique artistic structure and motifs.
The term is mentioned in Mahmud Kashgari’s “Devoni Lugati Turk” and means narrating an event orally. Tales are referred to as matal in Surkhandarya, Samarkand, Fergana regions, ushuk in the districts and villages around Bukhara, varsaqi in Khorezm, and cho‘pchak in Tashkent city and its surroundings. Tales differ from other folklore genres by depicting life truths based on imagination and realistic fabrications, involving magical and enchanting elements, extraordinary events, and the supernatural bravery of heroes.
Fiction is a crucial criterion in tales, forming the basis of plot events and ensuring the resolution of conflicts. Various examples of fabrications serve an educational aesthetic function, acting as a unique artistic depiction tool. Fabrications portray events and phenomena in an unreal or real manner. Based on the participation of imaginative and realistic fabrications and their role in the plot, tales can be divided into two groups: tales based on imaginative fabrications and tales based on realistic fabrications.
The plot of a tale with imaginative fabrications is magical, while the plot of a tale based on realistic fabrications is more lifelike, depicting real events. A tale typically narrates three main goals. The first involves the hero’s bravery and defense of people’s interests against evil forces; the second narrates the hero’s love for princesses or fairies from other lands, finding medicine for the sick, and rescuing people kidnapped by dragons and demons; the third describes the hero’s struggle against injustice and oppression.
The first goal is achieved through the hero’s active effort and supernatural strength, the second with the help of magical tools assisting the passive hero, and the third through the hero’s wisdom and resourcefulness.
Folk Tales: Folk tales are rightfully considered a powerful source of historical facts, providing information about the life and social structure of a particular people. Each nation has created many instructive stories for adults and children, passing on their experiences and wisdom to the next generations.
Folk tales reflect human relationships and changes, highlighting the immutability of basic values and teaching the clear distinction between good and evil, joy and sorrow, love and hatred, truth and falsehood. A unique feature of folk tales is that the deepest social meaning is hidden in simple and easy-to-read text. They also preserve the richness of the people’s language. What kinds of folk tales are there? They can be magical, household, or often about animals.
It is often asked when the first Russian folk song was invented. This remains a mystery, and only assumptions can be made. It is believed that the first “hero” tales were about natural phenomena such as the Sun, Moon, Earth, etc. Later, they were subjected to human influence, and stories of people and animals were included in the tales. There is a hypothesis that all Russian folk stories have a real basis. In other words, some events were retold in the form of tales, changing over centuries and reaching us in the form we are accustomed to.
When comparing folk and literary tales, it should be considered that the latter appeared much later than the former. By incorporating educational ideas, European literature began rewriting folk legends in the 18th century, and by the 19th century, it became traditional to create wonderful plots. Among those who succeeded in this field, A. Hoffmann, C. Perrault, H. C. Andersen, and, of course, the Brothers Grimm are recognized as the genre’s classics.
The similarity between literary and folk tales lies in the repetition of folkloric motifs and the presence of magical attributes, but the literary development of plots and the choice of main characters strictly adhere to the author’s wishes. Moreover, in the second half of the 19th century, literary tales became very close to novellas and even short stories. The works of Russian writers like L. Tolstoy and A. Pogorelskiy and Europeans like S. Lagerlöf and L. Carroll can serve as excellent examples.
Education through Tales: Stories are written in a simple language suitable for children, developing their imagination. For the youngest listeners, tales often feature animal characters, introducing them to the lifestyle and characteristics of specific characters (e.g., Kolobok, Teremok). After reading a tale to a child, they understand the existence of good and evil, loyalty and betrayal, foolishness and cleverness. A well-chosen tale also helps parents cope with crisis situations. All tales contain a moral, through which you can help a child navigate difficult situations. After reading, discuss the hero’s actions and decisions. Positive characters possess the best qualities: hard work, cleverness, kindness, honesty, beauty.
By reading tales to children, we cultivate moral qualities such as empathy and understanding in the child. The child compares themselves to the main character, experiencing situations, showing courage, ingenuity, and compassion. “A tale is a lie, but there’s a hint in it! A lesson for good fellows!” wrote the great Russian writer A.S. Pushkin, emphasizing that a tale teaches the listener the right behavior in certain situations. Without moralizing and instructions, the child develops the right path.
Tales also help develop children’s imagination and creative thinking. Preschoolers bring simple things to life, so they love hearing about the adventures of a soap bubble or a tin soldier. Introduce the story by reading or retelling it. While reading, a preschooler learns to respect books, which is one form of upbringing. By retelling the text, the storyteller rearranges words, changes phrases, and adds comments. The main thing is to tell the story emotionally so that children listen attentively. After reading the book, it’s useful to play literary games and solve riddles to reinforce the acquired knowledge.
Today, for some reason, I felt bad when I get up. Maybe it is because I went to bed very late? Actually, every day has been like this, I do not know if it is because it is summer, and I am at home every day. The reason why I slept late is because I could not look up from the phone and social networks.. Every day I say this will be the last time, but the end of it never seems to come.
In the morning (I am embarrassed to even call it morning, it was around 11 o’clock), I got up, washed my face and hands, and went to the kitchen to have breakfast. There was no one at home, so I made breakfast for only myself. Suddenly I noticed there was no bread at home.I was chagrined, and I did not want to go to the store. Said “Ugh” and I got dressed. On top of that, my parents had not left any money at home, which made me furious. “Why do they do that, where can I get the money now? Do I have to starve myself?” – I scolded them with anger as it had been done on purpose. I started looking for money from my bag.
On the top of that, I had spent all of my money previous day when I went out with my friends. Among various lipsticks, a napkin, a small mirror and similar things, I found a small amount of money. But it was not enough to buy baked bread, barely enough for loaf bread.I was obliged to buy loaf bread but no appetite to eat it from the morning, began complaining. Actually, I used to find excuses to complain about everything, even the summer heat.
After reluctantly having breakfast, I went to lie down on my mother’s bed. I did not sleep, just laid my head on the pillow, I did not feel like doing anything, not even studying and not even doing housechoirs (in fact, I can not even remember I have studied since summer started).I put my hand under the pillow and touched something hard. I saw an old, big notebook. I opened it, it seems to be my mother’s, as the handwriting looked similar.
The first page was dated 2005. It was a diary. I wondered if I should read it. The year I was born, interesting, what had happened back then? Newlywed moments. The thoughts of newly married women wearing traditional clothes every day, sweeping the yard, and preparing sweet dishes for her husband who return from work crossed my mind. I began to read the diary.
My mother had skillfull penned down the joy they felt when she told my father about her pregnancy two months after the wedding, the nights they discussed names, and the happiness of expecting a child. As I read, tears of joy rolled down my cheeks. Did they love me that much, did they look forward to me so eagerly, really they were so happy when I was born?! Actually, they love us even now, but we do not notice it because we are older, they do not pamper us like before, we also do not notice it because we do not care about their kindness.
After reading 10-15 pages, I stopped, and what I read swirled around in my mind. Hardships, poverty… Are these really true?! But they never told us they had suffered so much! I was angry just for eating loaf bread earlier but they even had times of no enough money to buy bread. There were times when they did not have money at all, yet did they abandon life? No, patience, everything with patience.
My mother writes: “Thanks to Allah, soon I will have my little cute happiness. These days will be forgotten. Even if I am struggling now, let my baby be born healthy. I am having severe toxicosis, I have no appetite. To say the truth, I have been craving kebabs for a while. The smell of it from the eatery below our apartment whets my appetite. I endure.
May my husband’s work go well, then I will surely eat it. I have no desire for the food at home. I want to eat fruit. Apples… I opened the cupboard and fridge but there is nothing exept some sugar. I boiled water and made sweet tea to drink with bread. My nausea got worse. Neighbors suggest to eat things like yogurt, curd, ayran. Yogurt? How can I tell them that there is nothing ecxept sugar at home, and I’m enduring this toxicosis with sweet tea? Let me sleep now, maybe it will pass I said as I lay my head on the pillow for a moment. No, it did not.
I got up to cook. There was no meat and carrots. I made macaroni soup with just potatoes. The smell of the meal I’m cooking made my nausea worse. I vomited 3-4 times until the food was ready. I decided to open the window to let in some fresh air, but the scent of kebab filled the air. “Is it hard to live in Tashkent, or just we live like this?” I sometimes ask myself.
On the one hand, I wanted to go back to the village. Something caught in my throat. I wanted to cry, I want to wave my hand to all and buy some kebabs. But I can not, I have to be patient. After all, I can see how much my husband Orif is struggling. He is not eating properly either. When he got a sore throat and a fever last month and was bedridden, he jokingly said “ Because I had eaten some snow like children” mixed it with humor.
It was a cold, harsh winter day and was snowing heavily. He went to work in the morning after having breakfast at home and did not have lunch until late in the evening. “I had not have time to go to the store and buy something, I ate a hot baked bread, because the bakery is close by” he said. I kept quiet. I knew that no time means no money. He even saved money by not buying a liter of water from the store and drinking melted snow instead. How can I eat kebabs when he ate snow instead of water?! I believe that these days will pass. Our children will eat what they want. The only help I can give him is patience”. Put the diary back, I burst into tears. I felt sorry, sorry for my situation.
"What am I doing? Am I a worthy child for them and their sacrifices? What useful thing have I spent my years on? Have I lived 18 years just going to school for hanging out with friends, coming home and sleeping under the pretext of being tired? Just because of I am a daughter? Can not a daughter be the pride of her parents? Can not a girl do anything? No, you have spent your life with making excuses and complaining. You did not value your parents, their hard work! Have you ever eaten snow instead of water? Did you ever think about your parents who could have everything for you but settled for sweet tea to cope with nausea?! Have you ever had a day when you were hungry? Have you ever eaten stale bread?”
I go into the kitchen and open the fridge. It is filled with a lot of kinds of foods. Were you the one grumbling about eating a loaf bread in the morning? The one who was too lazy to go to the store and said “uff”? You are the eldest child, have you ever thought about how you are setting an example for your younger siblings? Yesterday, you asked your classmate where they get their motivation to read books and doing homework and if they could give you some. Here is your motivation. You always make excuses for not doing anything, looking at your other peers who are achieving, comparing your little differences with theirs, and saying that you cam not do anything. You have one year left, you will apply to university next year. You must study, did you hear me, you must study!”
I went to the bathroom to wash my red and puffy tear-stained eyes, but suddenly my eyes fell on a piece of paper taped to the mirror.. Because of I washed my face in the kitchen earlier, I had not seen it. I remembered being angry earlier because they had not left money for bread, I had foolishly spoken without checking the shelf of perfumes.My mother had written: “There is money in the shelf, buy some bread and other food you want for breakfast.”
Muxammadiyeva Sevinch Zaripovna was born on October 10, 2005, in Tashkent. Currently, she is a second-year student at the Uzbek State University of World Languages, majoring in philology and teaching Spanish. She holds an IELTS score of 6.0 and is interested in learning languages and reading literary works.
a painting i did (not) finish
walking into my room
those i know always stare at
a girl trapped in the gray canvas
yellow bonnet covers her brown hair
that two sides show two individuals
her with a sky-blue dress
with wrinkles from the hot sun-day
but what they wonder
is why she has no face?
i tell them:
do you know about a girl
whose face a tone of mud
a neck colored with the noon sun
and white hands that
resemble caucasians?
do you know about a life
of black, of yellow, of white
intertwined
a product of differences
that belong to no home?
she has no faces
she has no races
she lives in the shade of her own
hands hugging one another
for support
for reassurance
but they are still searching for something
in this murky liquid
she is standing in the water
she is drowning
or instead, you can say
i don’t know how to draw a face
or how to finish the dress
that my little stupid story
is covering up for the lie
for why her skin has three colors
i guess you should know better
about a girl who has no face
because in real life
she has no face, either
search for her in the dark
search for her in the water
has she blended in
or is she waving in vain?
Bach Le is currently living in Hanoi, Vietnam. From young, Bach has had a deep interest in poetry, shown through his works in both written poetry and poetry slam. Through poetry, Bach unveils his insights in life, across topics from love and self-identity to grief and loss.
No matter the language, when I say “mother,” a vision of a pure angel comes to mind. In children’s upbringing, the mother’s role is paramount. A mother can take on the role of a father too, which is perhaps why paradise is said to lie beneath mothers’ feet. A mother is a noble being who sacrifices her life for us without asking for anything in return. Even in tales, when asked who should be pleased first, the answer is the mother, with the father mentioned third. A mother’s love, her embraces, and her radiant face are like the sun, her magical hugs are given without any expectation. I love my mother just as she is. My mother is unlike any other in the world. I can’t compare or describe my mother to anyone or anything. For me, she is unique; she is Mother.
You know, a mother raises her child with such upbringing, nurturing them to be knowledgeable and well-mannered. This is primarily due to the mother. If every woman and girl is educated and becomes knowledgeable, it benefits the entire nation and ensures their children are also educated, develop, and see the world. Mothers are extraordinary beings, with pure and radiant faces, which is why they are called “heavenly jasmine” and “angels of paradise.”
Mothers have a unique feeling that no one else has, the feeling of motherhood. Even when their child has grown up, to a mother, the child always seems small. She advises, “Be careful,” and prays with open palms, “Oh Allah, please protect my beloved child.” Even if we unintentionally speak harshly, a mother remains silent, swallowing her pain and wiping her tears with her scarf. Despite this, she still worries and cares for her child. A mother is incredibly strong and patient. She raises her children, ensuring they become scholars without letting them toil in the fields. A mother’s prayer is a miracle; only she can perform this miracle. Do you know? Many mothers lie, saying, “My child, I’m fine. Yes, I have everything. Don’t worry, I haven’t struggled; my stomach is full; I’m fine,” to soothe their child’s heart. Yet, the child senses something is wrong, abandons everything, and goes to see their mother, receiving her prayers. Such children are the happiest because their mother is alive, and they always receive her blessings.
You may have respected friends, partners, many employees, cars, wealth, and a house, but if you don’t visit your mother and receive her blessings, what kind of child are you?! Mother, I have shared my thoughts with you, but I have never asked how you feel. I have been too busy with my own affairs and friends to have a conversation with you. Please forgive your daughter who has begrudged you for even two minutes while talking to friends for hours! If you said something, I would respond, “Mom, I’m not a child,” hurting your feelings. Forgive your daughter who has grown up but still needs your love.
A mother always helps others, with a pure heart and a kind soul. However, a mother also wants to share her pain with a close child, to talk, to spend time together, to eat together, to go on a trip together. In a family, a mother and father might love a child differently, often spoiling them more. For example, in families, the youngest children or the only son or daughter might be spoiled. However, the eldest child usually carries more responsibility. As the youngest in my family, my parents’ love for me was different. A mother is the only being on Earth who embodies the love we see and feel.
I read an interesting story about Thomas Edison and his mother. When moving to his new home, Thomas carefully inspected every inch of his childhood home and asked the servants to carefully load the belongings into the truck. From the top of the closet where his childhood clothes were stored, he found his mother’s favorite red-covered suitcase. Thomas carefully placed it on the table and opened it. Among his mother’s belongings, he found a yellowing paper. This letter, signed by his teacher, reminded him of a memory involving his mother. At that time, Thomas was in first grade. That day, he brought home a letter from his teacher, who had instructed him to give it to his mother. Tears welled up in his mother’s sorrowful eyes as she read the letter, then she hugged her son. “What did my teacher write?” the curious boy asked his mother. “She wrote that you are extremely capable and that this school is not suitable for you, so she asked me to transfer you to a prestigious school,” his mother replied, trying to smile.
Thomas read the timeworn letter found in the suitcase and was astonished. It said, “Your son is mentally ill. Please enroll him in a specialized school.” Signed by the teacher. This story shows that every mother is her child’s hero. A mother always wants her child to be happy. The nights spent without sleep, nurturing and raising the child, are all due to the mother’s efforts. A child can never repay the debt to their mother. Only a mother can make life feel different. When a child doesn’t want to talk to anyone else, they can talk to their mother for hours because she understands them. Mothers deserve to be happy! The feeling of missing a mother is well-known to children living far from their mothers. Even if she is not with me, I remember her words and miss her love. I love you very much, mother. They say that the gates of paradise are open to parents who educate three daughters. Educating one daughter is like educating the entire nation. Mother, I owe you everything, and no matter how many times I say thank you, I can never repay this debt.
In the book about the mothers of great scholars, it is mentioned that the mothers of these scholars, even after the fathers’ death, took care of both financial support and the upbringing of their children. As a result of years of hardship, Imam Ahmad, Imam Bukhari, and many other great individuals emerged. This book tells the stories of how these noble individuals’ mothers raised their children. In a family, the mother’s unique role cannot be replaced by anything else. Every mother should spend her time and efforts raising her children to be great individuals for the future. The great Uzbek poet Abdurauf Fitrat emphasized the importance of family in the development of society and the prosperity of the nation in his work “Family.” He stated that the happiness and honor of every nation depend on the internal discipline and harmony of its people. Wherever family relations are strong, the country and the nation are equally strong and magnificent. Therefore, family tranquility is linked to maternal upbringing. Alisher Navoi, another great poet, emphasized that respecting parents is a form of upbringing. He said, “Sacrifice your head for your father, and give your entire body for your mother’s head. If you want both of your worlds to be prosperous, obtain the satisfaction of these two people. Consider one as the moon and the other as the sun, lighting up your day and night.” A child’s growth into a healthy, knowledgeable, and courageous person depends on the family environment and the mother’s influence.
Mother! A mother in the world makes life different. Her warmth and love make life special. Even if I reach ninety or a hundred years, living in a world with a mother is different. Mothers live thinking about their children, praying day and night for their happiness. Those without mothers cannot stop crying. Having a mother in life makes everything different. Having a mother by your side is different.
As I read this poem, I realized that a mother’s prayer is always accepted. A mother is unique and cannot be compared to anyone else. There are different kinds of children; some are indifferent to their mothers, some carry their mothers on their heads and receive their blessings, while some long for a mother’s love. So always remember, you grew up knowledgeable and well-mannered because of your mother. A mother’s love never fades. It shines like the sun, always radiating light. Thanks to such wonderful women, mothers, and daughters, life is even more beautiful.
In conclusion, wealth, friends, and success can be found, but if you hurt your mother’s heart and cannot give her love, what kind of child are you? A mother thinks of you while not eating herself. Go visit your parents, bring them two pieces of bread, and see how happy your mother will be. You will understand the sleepless nights and the difficulties your mother faced only when you become a mother yourself. You will realize how important a child is and how much you need their love. Never sigh or get angry at them; you will regret it when you grow up. The first place of education is the family. A child learns everything from their mother first. A mother’s upbringing is crucial for every child, especially for daughters. A mother’s love, her advice, and upbringing are vital in the family.
Amanbayeva Dinora Botirbek qizi resides in Gurlan district, Xorazm region. Her creative works have been published in Alanya, Turkey, and in a Moldovan publishing house in Europe.
In the heart of Central Asia’s gleam, An Uzbek woman, like a dream, Grace and strength in every stride, In her eyes, traditions reside.
Her silken dress, adorned with care, Reflects a history rich and rare, Patterns woven through time’s thread, In each design, stories spread.
She dances with the winds of time, Her laughter, like a bell’s sweet chime, From dawn’s first light to evening’s shade, In her hands, the world is made.
With a heart both fierce and kind, She holds the wisdom of her kind, Her spirit, like the mountains strong, In her love, we all belong.
Through fields of cotton, sunlit bright, She works with passion, day to night, Nurturing the land and kin, In her toil, life’s rhythms spin.
Her voice, a soothing lullaby, Whispers secrets of the sky, Legends of the ancient past, In her words, they ever last.
An Uzbek woman, proud and free, A symbol of resilience, she, In every heart, her story flows, A timeless tale that always grows.
From the city’s bustling markets wide, To the tranquil village’s side, Her presence, like a guiding star, Shows us who we truly are.
Zarina Rizoqulova was born on August 31st, 2004, in Bukhara region. She is currently a student at the Pedagogical Institute of Bukhara State University. She is very passionate about creative pursuits. In her free time, she enjoys writing poetry, short stories, and articles.
Many people think that a dream and a goal are the same thing. But they are wrong! The dream is different, the goal is different. Let me explain to you about dreams and goals.
Dreams are wonderful things that fit our imaginations but don’t come true! A goal is something that will definitely come true after a little effort.
A dream will not come true whether it is tried or not, it will remain as a dream in its own name.
Some of our goals remain only in our imaginations. And you may be wondering why?
Because unwritten goals remain dreams. This is because the human mind has 70,000, 80,000 and even 100,000 thoughts. That’s why you should write down your goals in a notebook. Goals written in the notebook can be achieved. But don’t think that I wrote in the notebook and now it will come true!
In order to realize our goals, we will have to make some effort, work on ourselves, and get new knowledge. Writing a goal has its own rules, let me tell you about it!
First:
Too many people are afraid of setting big goals and dreaming. In fact, we should set big goals without fear at all. Because God does not imagine what He does not give!
The second:
Overcome lust, egoism, envy and arrogance!
Know that you cannot achieve your goals if you do not overcome your ego.
And the third:
Get rid of hatred, revenge, anger and loss!
Why do you say?
Because if you have feelings of hatred, revenge, anger, jealousy towards someone, these goals will not be yours and you will achieve them with difficulty.
What I listed above were the 3 most important rules for goal setting and goal writing.
Do you know why we set goals?
Because the money that comes to us also comes based on a specific goal, in accordance with our goals!
My advice to you is to never stop working towards your goals! Believe in yourself because you can do it all.
